Navigating moyamoya: bridging gaps in neurocognitive outcomes through STA-ACA bypass

• Published in: Neurosurgical review 2024-10, Vol.47 (1), p.735, Article 735
• Main Authors: Awan, Eesha Farooq, Nazakat, Kainat, Awais, Abdul Raffay
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anterior Cerebral Artery - surgery; Cerebral Revascularization - methods; Correspondence; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Moyamoya Disease - surgery; Neurosurgery; Temporal Arteries - surgery; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1437-2320; 1437-2320
• DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02969-x

With its bimodal age distribution, higher prevalence in Far East Asian populations, and significant risk of ischemic stroke, Moyamoya disease (MMD) poses a distinctive clinical challenge. In a recently published study by Sho Tsunoda et al., the neurocognitive results of patients with MMD undergoing revascularization surgery were assessed, highlighting the potential advantages of superficial temporal artery to anterior cerebral artery (STA–ACA) direct bypass in ameliorating neuropsychological impairment. Despite its propitious findings, the study’s limitations—including a small sample size, single-center design, and lack of long-term follow-up—underscore the need for further research. Future multicenter, prospective trials with larger patient cohorts and comprehensive neurocognitive assessments are essential to validate these results and enhance the generalizability of the findings. This letter emphasizes the importance of robust study designs in advancing our understanding of MMD treatment and ensuring better patient outcomes.